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Hebrides
 
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Hebrides,
archipelago of about 500 islands, western Scotland, in the Atlantic Ocean.
The islands are divided into two groups, the Outer Hebrides and the Inner
Hebrides, by the North Minch and Little Minch straits and the Sea of the
Hebrides. The Outer Hebrides form Western Isles Area, and the Inner
Hebrides are divided between Highland and Strathclyde regions. The chief
islands of the Outer Hebrides, which extend 130 miles from north to south,
are Lewis with Harris, North Uist, South Uist, and Barra. The largest of
the Inner Hebrides is the Isle of Skye, and the other important islands of
the group are Mull, Islay, Jura, Tiree, and Coll. About 100 islands of the
Hebrides are populated, and most of the inhabitants live on Lewis with
Harris, Skye, and Islay. The population as a whole is declining through
emigration, especially to Canada. The climate of the Hebrides is
comparatively mild. The archipelago has a rocky terrain, which is broken
by many bogs, moors, lakes, and valleys. The only forests of importance
are on Lewis with Harris, Skye, Mull, and Jura islands. Approximately 13
percent of the total area is arable. Fishing, the raising of livestock,
and tourism during the summer months are the principal occupations. Other
economic activities include the growing of oats and potatoes, distilling,
quarrying, and the production of woolen textiles, especially Harris tweed.
Regular boat and air connections are maintained between the mainland and
the principal islands. The largest town in the Western Islands is
Stornoway (population in 1991 was 5,975), on the island of Lewis with
Harris.
In ancient times the
archipelago was known as the Hebudae or the Ebudae. In 563, the Irish
missionary St. Columba established a Celtic monastery on the tiny island
of Iona in the Inner Hebrides. During the 8th century the islands were
invaded by the Norsemen, and Norway retained control of the Hebrides until
1266, when the archipelago was transferred to Scotland. During the next
few centuries, Scottish chieftains, primarily the leaders of the clans
MacDougall and MacDonald, ruled the islands. The royal house of Scotland
gradually reduced the influence of the chieftains and gained full
authority over the Hebrides in 1748. Area of the Hebrides
is
about 2,900 sq miles.
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